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October 17, 2025

Meet the 42 Finalists of EIT Jumpstarter 2025

The most promising innovators are one step away from the podium

After months of intensive training, expert mentoring, customer validation and business development, the journey now reaches its most exciting stage. We are proud to announce the 36 finalist teams of EIT Jumpstarter 2026, selected to compete in the programme’s Online Grand Final Demo Days on 21-22 October 2026. 

Chosen from an exceptionally competitive cohort, these teams have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial potential, innovative thinking and commitment to transforming their ideas into successful ventures. Over the past months, they have refined their business concepts, challenged their assumptions and prepared compelling market opportunities with the support of the EIT Jumpstarter programme.  

Now, they will pitch their solutions live before an international jury, investors, innovation leaders and members of the European innovation ecosystem. The Online Grand Final Demo Days will determine which teams emerge as the top performers in each thematic cohort and move one step closer to becoming Europe’s next startup success stories.  

From 895 Applications to 36 Finalists

The 2026 edition of EIT Jumpstarter attracted 895 applications from early-stage innovators across Europe and beyond, confirming the programme’s position as one of Europe’s leading pre-acceleration initiatives. Following a rigorous selection process, 162 teams joined the programme and embarked on a journey of entrepreneurial training, mentoring and business validation.  

After progressing through online bootcamps, Startup Builder Training and business plan evaluations, only the strongest teams advanced to the final stage. Today, we celebrate these 36 finalists, representing six innovation categories that address some of Europe’s most pressing societal and industrial challenges 

Healthcare Cohort

Supported by EIT Health

  • CHEMO-PREDICT: A genomic test that predicts which chemotherapies a tumour will resist, before treatment starts
  • Nanoflexion: Nanofibrous biomaterials that prevent life-threatening surgical complications
  • SHED-based Brain Organoid System: Patient-specific brain organoids from baby-tooth stem cells for safer drug discovery
  • SimOSpine: Digital twins and patient-specific simulation to prevent complications after spinal fusion surgery
  • Doktůrek.ai: A traceable AI clinical co-pilot for primary care physicians
  • MTB-cBioPortal: Bringing clinical, genomic and patient-reported data together for molecular tumour boards

Food & Agritech Cohort

Driven by EIT Food

  • SpectrOlive: Instant, lab-grade olive oil quality checks and origin authentication
  • BITELOOP: A clean-label sweetener made from fermented rice by-products
  • Raua Systems: Micro-bubble aeration that boosts oxygen and survival rates in shrimp farms
  • BioFood Cultures: Native Greek microbial cultures for better, more authentic fermented foods
  • VitisIno: Turning wine-grape pomace into functional health ingredients
  • EntoGrid: Mobile bioconversion modules for nitrates compliance and healthier soils

Energy & Renewables Cohort

Led by EIT InnoEnergy

  • Apioris: AI that optimises battery health and performance in energy storage systems
  • Datlantis: Underwater data centres powered by offshore energy for sustainable European AI
  • EEIQ: Turning industrial smart meter data into energy savings, without extra hardware
  • CoolAVent: Affordable, low-energy cooling and heat recovery for net-zero hospitality
  • Radiant Robotics: Contactless inspection that detects hidden defects in solar panels
  • OptiControl: Smart scheduling of energy assets to cut electricity costs

Raw Materials Cohort

Led by EIT RawMaterials

  • GeoCura: Turning hazardous mine tailings into high-value construction materials
  • CAPTURE-AI: AI-designed materials that capture CO₂ and convert it into green methanol
  • Metastruct: Lightweight, 3D-printed façade structures that cut CO₂ emissions
  • Valumia: Spotting hidden supply-chain risks before they become disruptions
  • ARCMENTOR: An AI assistant that helps new operators master robotic welding faster
  • MinteraCEM: Turning steel slag into circular minerals for low-carbon construction

Smart Cities and Mobility Cohort

Represented by EIT Urban Mobility

  • EV-DC Grid: Scalable EV charging using existing grid infrastructure
  • Veridian Mobility: A self-propelled smart chassis that turns trailers into active vehicles
  • Aestrion: Resilient communication networks that keep cities connected, even in emergencies
  • IxioCityLabs (ToParkApp): Predicting which parking spaces will be free when you arrive
  • Flobe Industries: AI that detects fare evasion on public transport, without storing personal data
  • Coride: Rewarding employees for carpooling to work

Supporting Maltese Startups & Innovations Cohort

Supported by Xjenza Malta

  • DISCOVERLO: Calm, curated spaces that help professionals recover from stress and burnout
  • Synesthesia: Turning any image into an original musical composition
  • IZZY: Turning private company financials into clear insights and valuations
  • DiGiG8: Reusable smart badges that bring networking and analytics to live events
  • RootValve: Passive, electricity-free irrigation for water-scarce regions
  • BryoWall: Modular moss systems that clean the air and cool cities

Competing for More Than Recognition

During the Online Grand Final Demo Days, finalists will compete for €10,000, €5,000 and €3,000 prizes awarded to the top three teams in each thematic cohort. 

In addition, several special prizes will celebrate solutions generating impact in key European priority areas. €2,500 awards will recognise the best projects from the EU Outermost Regions, the Western Balkans, and Ukraine, as well as solutions closely aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus, rewarding innovations that combine sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics. 

The Road to the Award Ceremony

 The Online Grand Final Demo Days on 21-22 October will mark the culmination of months of hard work, learning and growth. Across two days of live pitching sessions, finalists will present their ventures and compete for a place among the programme’s winners. Registration is open until 20 October here: Meeting Registration – Zoom 

The winning teams will then be officially recognised during the EIT Jumpstarter Award Ceremony on 12 November 2026, where the programme will celebrate the entrepreneurs whose innovations have stood out for their excellence, market potential and impact.  

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